Poor Relief - Law Commission

Reference Extent of repeal or revocation
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15 Geo.3 c.59 (1775) The whole Act.
(Mitford and Launditch (Norfolk)
Poor Relief Act)
41 Geo.3 c.lxiii (1801) The whole Act.
(Mitford and Launditch (Norfolk)
Poor Relief Act)
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15 Geo.3 c.59 (1775) (Mitford and Launditch (Norfolk) Poor Relief Act)
41 Geo.3 c.lxiii (1801) (Mitford and Launditch (Norfolk) Poor Relief Act)
1. This note proposes the repeal of two obsolete 18 th and early 19 th century Acts
passed to provide relief for the poor living in the hundreds of Mitford and Launditch,
Norfolk. 51 This was an area comprising 50 parishes between Swaffham and
Dereham and included Gressenhall, where the workhouse or house of industry
referred to in these Acts was situated.
15 Geo.3 c.59 (1775) (Mitford and Launditch (Norfolk) Poor Relief Act)
2. According to its long title, the purpose of the 1775 Act was:
for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor within the Hundreds of
Mitford and Launditch, in the County of Norfolk.
3. The preamble to the 1775 Act recorded that
The Poor within the hundreds of Mitford and Launditch, in the County of
Norfolk, might be better and more comfortably maintained and supported, and
at a less Expence than they are at present, if convenient Houses were
provided for their Reception, and proper Materials and Utensils furnished for
employing such of them as are able to work.
4. The 1775 Act provided as follows: 52
(a) appointment of guardians of the poor and their incorporation under the
name of “The Guardians of the Poor within the Hundreds of Mitford and
Launditch, in the County of Norfolk” (“the Guardians”); women to be able
to act as guardians by proxy
(b) poor persons currently under the care of the parish churchwardens and
overseers to be transferred to the Guardians once the workhouse had
51
The “hundred” is an ancient description of groups of townships in English counties.
52
The provisions of the 1745 Act are not identified by reference to section numbers because the Act
itself was not divided into sections.
41